Construction on U.S. 24-40 to start Thursday, last through mid-October south of Tonganoxie

Travelers on U.S. Highway 24-40 south of Tonganoxie should start expecting delays Thursday due to a resurfacing project.

The project will cover a 10-mile stretch of eastbound and westbound U.S. 24-40 from near the Kansas Highway 16 intersection in Tonganoxie to the K-32 intersection in Douglas County.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, the resurfacing project will help improve and preserve the driving surface of the road and will take place during daylight hours Mondays through Saturdays with the project expected to be completed in mid-October, weather permitting.

Flaggers will coordinate with pilot cars to guide traffic through the project work zone. Drivers should expect minor delays up to 15 minutes, including possible start and stop traffic, and are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible. When drivers enter the project work zone on 24-40 from adjacent roadways, they must not enter onto either roadway until they are able to follow in behind the pilot car. There will be a 12-foot lane width restriction throughout the project during daylight work hours. The work will be coordinated so that all lanes will be opened to traffic 30 minutes before sunset. Updated traffic information for this resurfacing project can be viewed online at ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.

Workers will heat the asphalt roadway, recycle a thin layer of the surface, place it back on the roadway, and then follow this step with heavy rollers that will compact the asphalt. About one week later, crews will then spread a thin layer of asphalt over the pavement, coat it with a layer of rock chips, and press them into place with heavy rollers. Once this process is completed, new pavement markings will be added to the resurfaced roadway.

Dustrol, Inc. is the primary contractor on the project with a total contract cost of $852,000. The scheduled completion date for the entire project is mid-October 2011, weather permitting.

The project is funded by T-WORKS, the transportation program passed by the Kansas Legislature in May 2010.